Gospel in Art: Feast of Saint Dominic, Priest

Saint Dominic by Carlo Crivelli, 1472 © Metropolitan Museum, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 8 August 2026
Luke 9:57-62

At that time: As Jesus and his disciples were going along the road, someone said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' To another he said, 'Follow me.' But he said, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' And Jesus said to him, 'Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Yet another said, 'I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.' Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'

Reflection on the painting

Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Dominic, also known as Dominic de Guzmán. Born in 1170 to a family of Spanish nobility, he was well educated and studied for 10 years at the University of Palencia (the first university of Spain). Already during that period it was reported how concerned he was with the well-being of others, especially the poor, rather than with his own needs. In 1191, when Spain was plagued by famine, young Dominic gave away his money and sold his clothes, furniture, and even precious manuscripts to feed the hungry. Dominic reportedly told his astonished fellow students, "Would you have me study off these dead skins when men are dying of hunger?" Indeed, books in the late 12th century were not printed on paper, as they are today, but painstakingly copied by hand onto parchment or vellum-prepared animal skins, usually from calves, sheep or goats. A single Bible could require the hides of hundreds of animals and represented an immense financial investment.

But God even had bigger plans for Dominic: founding a new religious order with the mission to combat the many heresies that were around at the time and to help spread the doctrine of the Church. Saint Dominic's cheerfulness and joyousness are remarked upon by a number of people who knew him. The vivacity of his spirit in founding a new order must have been truly inspiring. In 1208 he experienced a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the church at Prouille, during which she gave him a rosary. The spread of devotion to the rosary is largely attributed to Dominicans. Pope Pius XI stated, that the rosary is "the principle and foundation on which the Order of St Dominic rests for perfecting the lives of its members and obtaining the salvation of others."

Our painted panel is by Carlo Crivelli (c. 1430-c. 1495), a Venetian-born painter. Crivelli's paintings often fuse late Gothic elegance with Renaissance innovation. Our panel is more than a portrait, it is imbued with a deep sense of devotion and theatrical flourish. Unlike many of his contemporaries who embraced softer, naturalistic effects, Crivelli embraced a more linear approach. Our panel forms part of a triptych created for a Dominican church in Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche region. The panel originally served as the right wing of the altarpiece, with the Virgin Mary occupying the central panel. Saint Dominic is portrayed wearing the traditional black and white Dominican habit, holding a lily, a symbol of purity and chastity, and devotion to Our Lady (often depicted holding a lily). Crivelli presents the saint in profile, his gaze directed toward the central panel Virgin.

Like Saint Dominic, may we discover that the greatest sermon we can ever preach is a life so filled with Christ that others cannot help but encounter Him through us. Saint Dominic, pray for us.

LINKS

Christian Art: www.christian.art
Today's image: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-9-57-62-2026/